Liability-Only Auto Insurance in South Dakota

In South Dakota, drivers must carry minimum auto liability coverage of 25/50/25. South Dakota has below-average rates and standard insurance requirements. The average auto insurance rate in South Dakota runs about $1,331 per year, and where liability-only auto insurance fits into that depends on your coverage level and profile.

Liability-only auto insurance pays for bodily injury and property damage you cause to other people in an accident. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle. Every state except New Hampshire requires some form of liability coverage, making it the baseline legal requirement for most drivers.

This type of policy is split into two parts: bodily injury liability (BI) and property damage liability (PD). Bodily injury covers medical bills, lost wages, and legal fees for the other party, while property damage covers repairs to their vehicle or other property you damage.

Liability-only is the most affordable way to stay legal on the road. It's a practical choice for drivers with older vehicles where the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage would exceed the car's value. However, if you're in an at-fault accident, you'll pay for your own vehicle repairs and medical bills out of pocket.

South Dakota also faces elevated tornadoes and severe-storm hail exposure, which affects how carriers price coverage here. That risk profile is worth weighing when you decide how much liability-only auto insurance to carry in South Dakota — comparing carriers through Truvo helps you balance protection against price.